by Faith Gibson
Josie moved past him to get into her apartment. She looked at him longingly, but he remained where he was. If he went inside, all his plans to take things slow would be out the window in seconds. “Locks, Sunshine.” Kai didn’t move until he heard the locks click and the alarm beep.
Why are you leaving?
Because I’m doing this the right way.
Fuck that. She’s ours.
She is, but she’s precious, and I’m going to treat her as such.
Not bothering with the elevator since he didn’t know if it would work without her fob, Kai jogged down the steps, lighter than he’d ever been. Yes, his dick was aching, but the wait would be worth it. Kai smiled, remembering the wistful look on Josie’s face when he mentioned wanting kids. He could imagine his mate, belly round with their child. He had learned a lot about his pretty little female tonight. So many good things and a few that upset him. A plan was already forming to make sure she got what she wanted from life. He drove home on autopilot as he made a list of things he needed to do. The first thing he did when he got home was find the movie she mentioned.
Two hours later, Kai understood why Josie fell in love with the leading lady. Normally, that wasn’t the type of movie he would choose to watch, but the storyline was unique and pulled at his heartstrings. Kai’s taste in music was eclectic. He could imagine coming home from a day at the gym having sparred in the ring while listening to heavy rock. Josie would be practicing the cello, and the smooth notes would soothe him, bringing him out of the intenseness of fighting. Life was about balance. His parents had shown him that. No matter what life threw at his papa, his mama always settled him with a smile or a touch, or a plateful of paifala. Thinking of the fruity pies made Kai a little homesick. It had been months since he spoke to his parents. Even though they were both Gargoyles, they were getting up in years, and he knew they wouldn’t be around forever. Maybe he would make a trip back home before he got bogged down with opening his new business. Maybe Josie would like to join him.
He knew if he went home with a mate, his mama would throw one of her infamous parties. Kai smiled, thinking of his brothers’ mates kidnapping Josie while he and his brothers practiced their dance routine. Kai missed his family, and he wondered why it was hitting him so hard now. Probably because he had finally found his mate and was envisioning starting his own family with her. He was getting way ahead of himself. He had their first date to get through. Kai counted on the mate bond to endear Josie to him, but he also wanted her to want him in spite of the bond. He planned to find out more about his female on their date, and he knew being in public wouldn’t give them the privacy they needed. No, Kai would bring Josie home with him. He would cook for her in the seclusion Sixx’s house provided. Having her there would also give him insight as to whether or not she was open to living somewhere more isolated than an apartment building near downtown. Now, to figure out what to cook, and he knew just who to ask. Looking at his phone, he calculated the time difference and made the call.
“Malakai?”
“Hello, Mama. I need your help.”
Chapter Four
Josie couldn’t concentrate. She shouldn’t be working since it was Saturday, but she thought if she got a few hours in on one of the cases, it would make the time go by faster. It didn’t. The clock on her laptop was barely moving, and the words in front of her made no sense. She could think of nothing else but her date tonight. After pouring another cup of coffee, Josie went to her room and stood in front of her closet. She’d lain in bed last night thinking about every word Malakai said. Every smile. Each wink. The feel of his lips against her mouth. The way his hand wrapped around her neck. She wasn’t into breath play, but she knew about it. Was Kai into it? Or was he merely expressing possession?
Some of the books Josie read were about BDSM. She read a trilogy that didn’t sit well with her because she had read other books focused on the topic. Josie noticed a distinct difference in the way the lifestyle was explained, so she did some research to see what was true to life and what wasn’t. At thirty, Josie wasn’t a virgin, but the sexual encounters she’d had over the years were definitely vanilla. After reading about more exciting lifestyles, she found herself wondering what it would be like to stretch out over a man’s lap and let him spank her. She’d even gone so far as to watch some porn on the subject, but she felt the women in the videos were acting. Scripted movies weren’t a true indicator of what happened when a couple in a relationship played together.
Would Malakai be interested in tying her to the bed and teasing her body with his mouth and fingers? Or was he another in a long line of men who were in the sex for themselves, not caring if Josie got her release too? She couldn’t see him being selfish, but she didn’t know him at all. Josie wasn’t one to put out on a first date. If the chemistry was there, it would still be there after a few more nights out where they got to know one another. There had definitely been interest on her part when he walked her to her door, but who wouldn’t be entranced by the tall, dark, and handsome man? Now she understood what had Presley in a tizzy after her kickboxing classes.
God, her sister was going to lose her mind if she found out Malakai had asked Josie out. Josie couldn’t figure out what he saw in Josie that he didn’t see in Presley. I prefer bubbly. Was that it? Did he not like Presley’s straightforward approach to life? Her go-get-it attitude? Did he think Josie was a pushover? She needed to show him the real Josie Pierson. The one who wore fun dresses and cute shoes. The one who was as easily at home in a sports bar as she was in a chic restaurant. Malakai didn’t look like he frequented a place like Bishop’s, Presley’s favorite hangout. Josie sure didn’t frequent the place. The clientele was too stilted, just like her sister.
Maybe she should show him her funky side without going overboard with her hair and makeup. Setting her coffee down on the dresser, Josie flipped through the left side of her closet where her fun clothes were. He had seen her last night in her work attire, but she wanted to get his reaction to something less stuffy. She fingered her favorite dress. The one with a black, flared skirt, teal bodice, and black, velvet halter, fit her like a glove. She rarely wore the crinoline beneath it because it was too itchy. Instead of pairing the dress with her stacked heels, she opted for a pair of shorter Mary Janes. Cute. Functional. Comfortable. With the way the dress was cut, showing lots of skin, Josie doubted Malakai would be looking at her feet anyway.
With her clothes taken care of, Josie took her coffee to the kitchen for a warm-up. She wished her balcony had a better view. Josie loved to sit outside, but she didn’t want to stare at the couple across the way, who always sat outside on Saturday mornings. It wasn’t that she was jealous. Okay. She was. Josie thought she’d be married and settled by now. It wasn’t for lack of trying. Josie went on dates, but she never found the one she meshed with. The man who could put up with her rambling when she was nervous. Or the way she liked to dress. Or the long hours she put in at the office. Her one long-term boyfriend had been wonderful in the beginning, but he eventually got tired of coming second to her job. He tried to get her to quit. To find a firm who appreciated her talents. When Josie refused, he broke up with her.
She planned to get all that out in the open with Malakai. Well, maybe not on the first date, but if the night went well, and he asked her out again, she would give him the rundown of who she was. If he was still interested, she’d give it a go.
Instead of going outside, Josie sat down on her couch and turned on the TV for background noise. She hadn’t slept well the night before. Scattered dreams of Presley catching Josie out with Kai and yelling at them both had her waking in a panic. She finished her coffee and set the mug on the end table. Josie closed her eyes, promising she was just going to rest for a few minutes.
The phone ringing woke Josie, and she dreaded looking at the caller ID. Her first notion was that Malakai was calling to cancel. When she saw who it was, it was worse than that, and she almost didn’t answer. But Presley would come
pounding on the door if Josie ignored her.
“Hello?”
“Where’s the Baxter file?”
“I have it.” Josie knew what was coming next.
“Well, I need it. I’ll stop by later to get it.” Presley didn’t work on the weekends. She would get the file, and it would sit in her car until Monday, and Josie wouldn’t be able to do anything with it. She preferred to do her work on the computer, but both her father and sister liked paper files.
“I won’t be here later. I have a date.”
“With whom?” Presley’s tone indicated she didn’t believe Josie.
“Nobody you know. I’ll bring the file by tomorrow.”
“I need it tonight. Have your date bring you by my condo on your way out.”
“Not going to happen.” It wouldn’t matter if her date was someone other than Malakai. Josie wouldn’t ask someone to chauffer her around at her sister’s beckoning. “I’ll bring it by tomorrow, or you can come get it now. Your choice.”
“I’ll be there in a few.” Presley hung up without saying goodbye.
Josie looked at the clock. It was only half past noon, so she had several hours before she needed to get ready. Presley had plenty of time to come get the file and be gone before Malakai arrived for their date. Josie took her dirty mug to the dishwasher and opened the fridge to see what she had to eat. Yes, it was her fridge. Yes, she bought the groceries. It wasn’t like food was going to magically appear without her knowing. Still, she perused the shelves in search of something to eat. Nope, nothing new.
When nothing she saw looked appetizing, Josie opted for a bowl of cereal. That would tide her over until she had dinner later with Malakai. Goosebumps broke out on her skin as she thought about him. She stood leaning against the counter, munching on the oat and marshmallow goodness. When all the cereal was gone, Josie turned the bowl up and drank the sweet milk. Before she could rinse the bowl, someone was pounding on her door. Josie squared her shoulders and went to let her sister in.
Josie barely had the locks undone before Presley pushed past her. As she always did with her sister, Josie bit her tongue. She walked over to the table and picked up the file, handing it over.
“Is this everything?” Presley asked, flipping through the notes.
“Yep.” Josie turned her back, taking her bowl to the sink. When she didn’t hear the door opening, she looked over her shoulder. Presley was staring at her. “What? I said it’s all there.”
“Who’s your date?”
Josie turned from the sink, drying her hands. “I don’t see how that’s any of your business. You’ve never been interested in my dates before now. You’ve never been interested in any part of my life if it doesn’t have to do with my job. You can show yourself out. I need to get ready.” Josie still had a couple hours, but Presley didn’t need to know that.
“You’ve never hidden who you dated before. Just makes me curious, but keep your secrets. I’ll find out who he is.”
Josie was getting pissed. “Who I go out with is no concern of yours. Nothing I do outside the office concerns you. I don’t ask about your conquests because who you screw means nothing to me.”
Presley’s face turned red. “Right. You’ve never once asked how a date’s gone. You don’t care about me other than what I can do for you at work.” She waved her hand at the room. “All this is because of me, but you don’t appreciate any of it. I’m just your boss, not your sister.”
“Are you fucking kidding me right now? You’ve never treated me like a sister. Never. And as for what I have, I work my ass off to make sure you and Dad have everything you need for your cases. I work twice as hard as Naomi, but I have never once complained. So don’t come into my home and pretend you’ve done me any favors. If anyone’s doing favors, it’s me for putting up with your attitude. Before I took over your cases, you couldn’t keep a paralegal. Think about that, but do it somewhere else. I’m done with this conversation.”
“You can’t talk to me this way.”
“In my home, I’ll talk to you any way I damn well please. Now get out.”
“You’ll regret this.”
“No more than I’ve regretted the last eight years.” Josie pointed to the door.
Presley had a stunned look on her face. As well she should because Josie had never stood up to her sister in thirty years. Presley opened her mouth then closed it. Her faced returned to pissed off as she strode to the door. When it closed behind her sister, Josie punched her fist in the air and did a little dance.
“Damn, that felt good.” She knew there would be hell to pay come next week, but for now, Josie would revel in the feeling. And if Presley made good on her threat, Josie would polish her resume. Her father would be livid, but it was time – past time – for Josie to look out for herself. And that started with her date tonight with the hottest man Josie had ever met.
At five minutes to six, Josie took one last look in the mirror. Her long, black hair was pulled up in a sleek ponytail. Her makeup was subtle yet sexy, accentuating her blue eyes. She twirled to the left then back to the right, her dress following her movements. She wanted to apply a light coat of gloss to her red lips, but she didn’t know if kissing would be involved before dinner, so she left it off.
Her phone buzzed on the counter, and she smiled seeing Kai’s name.
Malakai: I’m here.
Josie: I’m on my way.
Josie put her phone and keys in the shiny black clutch which matched her shoes, set the alarm, and practically skipped down the hallway to the elevator. When the doors opened on the lower level, Kai was there, in all his sexy glory, leaning against a jacked-up, red, four-door Jeep. He was wearing dark jeans that molded to his muscular thighs, and a pale-green, button-up shirt. The sleeves were rolled up, showing off his forearms. Like last night, he was wearing flip-flops. Josie doubted they were going to an upscale restaurant if he didn’t bother with shoes, and that was okay with her. He pushed off the Jeep and stalked toward Josie like a wild animal. Feeling as though she were the prey, Josie was frozen by the look on his face. Kai stopped, leaving a few feet between them and studied Josie. When his eyes met hers, there was no denying the heat there.
“Damn, Sunshine,” he muttered, his voice laced with awe. Kai closed the short distance and traced a fingertip across her bare shoulder. “Please tell me you have more of these sexy dresses.”
Josie mentally pumped a fist. “I have a closet full of them.”
Kai trailed his fingers from her shoulder down her arm until he clasped her fingers, bringing them to his mouth, where he pressed his full lips to her knuckles. Josie’s knees threatened to buckle, so she grabbed his bicep as best she could without dropping her purse.
Kai laced their fingers together and led her to his Jeep. He had to help her in since it sat up off the ground due to the lift kit, but she didn’t mind his hands around her waist. He waited until she smoothed her skirt beneath her butt before closing the door. Kai had no trouble climbing into the vehicle, his long legs making the move smoothly. Instead of starting the engine, he turned her way. “Hi,” he said, smiling.
“Hey,” she returned. Josie bit her lip. In the back of her mind, she knew this night was important. She had never been so completely drawn to a man she’d just met. Kai reached over and placed his palm against her nape, his thumb stroking the side of her neck. He pulled her closer, and meeting her across the console, pressed their lips together in the softest kiss she’d ever received. He didn’t take it further. Instead, he inhaled deeply.
“I’ll never get enough of the way you smell,” he whispered.
Josie made a mental note to buy stock in her body wash. It was a blend of sunflowers and coconut she special ordered. Kai kissed her cheek before leaning back against his seat. “Buckle up, Sunshine.”
Josie did, then placed her hands on her lap, gripping her clutch tightly. Kai shifted gears smoothly as he drove out of the garage.
“I love your Jeep. Maybe we can take it
out without the top on before it gets too cold. You do go topless, right? I mean, the Jeep. Not you. Not that I would mind seeing you topless. I imagine you look mighty fine when you’re doing your boxing thing. What do you call it? Boxing thing sounds ridiculous. I sound ridiculous. I’m going to shut up now.”
Kai reached over and threaded their fingers, setting their joined hands on the console. “I do go topless, but I didn’t want you to worry about your hair on our first date. As for the boxing thing, I’m a martial arts trainer. As a matter of fact, I recently decided to open my own training center. The building will have to be renovated, and I have to order all the equipment, so it’s a work in progress. But I’m excited. My life is getting close to perfect.” He squeezed Josie’s hand before releasing it to shift gears, then went back to holding it when he was done. “How was your day?”
Josie didn’t want to admit it sucked, so she lied. “It was fine. How was yours?”
“Nope. We’re not going to start this relationship with lies, Sunshine.” Josie turned at the sternness in his voice. How did he know she was lying? “Your body tensed when I asked about your day. Let’s get this out of the way. I like you. A lot. I want to pursue a relationship with you, and I won’t ask much from you. What I will ask is you don’t see other men, and you always, no matter what, tell me the truth. Can you handle that?”
“You want a relationship? With me?”
“Yes.”
“Why? You don’t know me.”